The historic tea-party of Edenton, October 25th, 1774. An incident in North Carolina connected with British taxation

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THE

Historic Tea-Party of Edenton,

OCTOBER 25TH. 1774.

AN INCIDENT IN NORTH CAROLINA
CONNECTED WITH BRITISH
TAXATION

RICHARD DILLARD, M. D.

*^ National recollection is the foundation of national character"

Edward Everett.

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TO
HON.W. D. PRUDEN,
OF THE ROANOKE COLONY MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
THIS IS RESPECTFULLY I NSCRfBED.

MRS. PENELOPE BARKER.
PRESIDENT OF THE EUENTON TEA-PARTY OF 1774.

[Fro/ii a pot /rait i// possession of her dcscendants'\

PROEM.

The religious votaries of the Maldivean Isles, at cer-
tain times, commit to the mercy of the wind and
waves Httle boats laden with rich hued flowers, delicate
perfumes, and sweet-scented woods of their native isles,
hoping to receive in return rich rewards for the sacri-
fice ; though I hsve no flowers of rhetoric to offer, no
measured lines, no burning incense from the Muses'
shrine, 'tis thus I consign this bit of native history
rudderless to the tide, trusting some friendly wave may
bear it safely on : Hoping also like Ruth in the fields
of Boaz, to glean, and bind together a few handfuls,
which other and abler reapers have carelessly, or on
purpose let fall.

There is in Aforhanistan, accordino- to Eastern tra-
dition, a miraculous history plant, which records upon
its broad luxurious leaves whatever happens each day
in its immediate vicinity; There are no inaccuracies and
misstatements of the press, no partiality or parti/an wri-
ters, no incongruity of conflicting records, but like the
polished waters around which it flourishes, it faithfully
mirrors the environing objects. Unfortunately in this
country there is no such gift by Nature, no historic
Genii, but there is, I believe, a movement on foot to con-
dense, preserve, and separate true and legitimate history
from the ordinary records of the press. The ancients
were especially particular that their records should be ex-
act, even the works of the historian Livy, barely escaped
annihilation at the hands of the infamous Caligula, for
their alleged historical inaccuracies As history is but
the story of the past, then posterity demands a truth-
ful and unbiased narration of facts; "'Truth comes to us
from the past, as gold is washed down from the mount-
ains of Sierra Nevada, in minute but precious particles,
and intermixed with infinite alloy, the debris of cen-
turies." It is sufficient for us to preserve facts as they
happen, the succeeding generations will give them their
proper coloring.

Tacitus, appreciating the value of history to mankind,
wrote, nearly twenty centuries ago, that its chief object
was "to rescue virtuous actions from the oblivion, to
which the want of records would consign them."

Even in this practical, speculative age there seems
to be a tendency all over our country to exhume from
oblivion the events and traditions of our past. This
growing reverence for American history is an evidence
of increasing national intelligence, pride and dignity.
Unfortunately for North Carolina, many of her most

beautiful traditions have been allowed to pass unnoticed,
and her glorious deeds regarded as mere ephemera to
perish with the actors. The establishment of a chair
of history at the state university, and the organization
of the historical society will do much to develop and
preserve our vast and valuable historic material. We
must confess, and with mortification and chagrin, that
in order to study any subject connected with state his-
tory intelligently, we have been obliged in the past to
refer not only to the historical societies of other states,
but even to the libraries of Europe.

It is the object of this paper to bring into light an
exceptionally interesting and patriotic incident in North
Carolina, hitherto only casually noticed by one state
historian. A stranger coming to Edenton twenty-five
years ago was shown an old-fashioned, long wooden
house fronting directly on the beautiful court-house
green; this historic house has since yielded to the ruth-
less hand of modern vandalism. It was the residence
of Mrs. Elizabeth King, and under its roof fifty-one pat-
riotic ladies.* (and not fifty-four as stated erroneously by
Wheeler) met October 25th, 1774, and passed resolutions /
commending the action of the provincial congress. They
also declared they would not conform "to that Perni-
cious Custom of DrinkingTea,or thatthe aforesaid Ladys
would not promote ye wear of any manufacture from
England" until the tax was repealed. Wheeler, in al-
luding to this incident and to the stormy days closely
preceeding the Revolution, in his second volume says,
"The patriotism of the men was even exceeded by that
of the women. By some strange freak of circumstance,
many years ago, there was found at Gibraltar a beau-
tiful picture done in skillful style, enameled on glass, of a
'meeting of the ladies of Edenton destroying the tea,
(their favorite beverage) when it was taxed by the Eng-

*As the population was sparce, it is very probable that fifty-one names
comprised most of the ladies living in and around Edenton then.

lish parliament. This picture was procured by some of
the officers of our navy, and was sent to Edenton, where
I saw it in 1830."

This is not only erroneous, but Mr. Wheeler has also
misquoted the reference to the meeting in the American
Archives, and there has been considerable other misin-
formation afloat regarding it, all of which I shall endeav-
or to set aright. The following is the correct notice
copied directly from the American Archives, and occu-
pies just twelve lines: ''Association Signed by Ladies of
Edenton, North Carolina, October 25, 1774. As we can-
not be indifferent on any occasion that appears to affect
the peace and happiness of our country; and it has been
thought necessary for the publick good to enter into
several particular resolves, by meeting of Members of
Deputies from the whole province, it is a duty that we owe
not only to our near and dear relations and connections,
but to ourselves, who are essentially interested in their
welfare, to do everything as far as lies in our power
to testify our sincere adherence to the same, and we do
therefore accordingly subscribe this paper, as a witness
of our fixed intention, and solemn determination to do
so.' Signed by fifty-one ladies."*

Women have always been potent factors in all great
moral and political reformations. The drafting of such
resolutions, so direcrly antagonistic to royal authority
required a calmer, far more enviable courage than that
developed by the fanatic heroism of the crusades, or the
feverish bravery of martial music. The tax upon tea
was a direct insult to their household gods; it poisoned
every cup of their tea, it affected every hearthstone in
the province. In looking back upon our past it should
be a matter of pride to know, that such women helped
to form the preface of our history, characters which
should be held up to our children as worthy of emulation.

♦American Archives fourth series, vol. i. 8qi.

V.

- V

>^d

l:.-''y

"These are deeds which should not pass away,
And names that must not wither, though the earth
Forgets her empires with a just decay.''

The account of this tea-party found its way into the
London papers of that day, and the effect it had there
may be noted in the following old letter, strongly tinct-
ured with sarcasm. It was written by Arthur Iredell
of London to his brother James Iredell, a distinguished
patriot of this place, who married Miss Hannah Johnson,
a sister of one of the signers of the noted document,

"London Queen Square," January 31, 1775.

Dear Brother: I see by the newspaper the Edenton ladies
have signalized themselves by their protest against tea drinking.
The name of Johnston I see among others; are any of my sister's re-
lations patriotic heroines? Is there a female congress at Edenton too?
I hope not, for we Englishmen are afraid of the male congress, but
if the ladies, who have ever since the Amazonian era been esteemed
the most formidable enemies ; if they, I say. should attack us, the
most fatal consequence is to be dreaded. So dexterous in the hand-
ling of a dart, each wound they give is mortal; whilst we, so unhap-
pily formed by nature, the more we strive to conquer them, the more
we are conquered. The Edenton ladies, conscious, I suppose, of this
superiority on their side, by a former experience, are willing I im-
agine, to crush us into atoms by their omnipotency; the only securi-
ty on our side to prevent the impending ruin, that I can preceive, is
the probability that there are but few places in America which pos-
sess so much female artillery as Edenton.

Pray let me know all the particulars when you favor me with a
letter. Your most affectionate friend and brother.

ARTHUR IREDELL. *

The society of Edenton at this period was charming
in its refinement and culture; it was at one time the co-
lonial capital, and social rival of Williamsburg, Virginia.
Edenton then had five hundred inhabitants. Its galaxy
of distinguished patriots, both men and women, would
shine resplendent in any country or in any age. The tea-
party then, as now, was one of the most fashionable
modes of entertaining. The English were essentially a
tea-drinking nation, and consequently tea became the
almost universal drink of the colonies. Dr. Johnson de-
clared that "with tea he amused the evening, with tea

* Life and correspondence of James Iredell, vol. i, page 230.

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solaced the midnight, and with tea welcomed the morn-
ing". Coffee was not introduced in Europe until much
later, the first cup having been drunk by Louis XIV. of
France at a cost of twenty-nine dollars per pound. The
principal variety of tea used by the colonies was the
Bohea, or black tea, and came from India. It was of the
purest quality, the art of sophistication and adulteration
being unknown at that day. The feeling of ease and
comfort inspired by an elegant cup of tea, as well as the
exhilaration of the mental faculties which it produces,
made ic a necessary assistant to break the stiffness of
those old-fashioned parties. It contains an active prin-
ciple thine, which, taken in considerable quantity, pro-
duces a species of intoxication. Foreigners who visit
China, where tea is served upon almost every occasion,
become frequently tea-drunk. The method of prepar-
ing tea by our ancestors was essentially that of the
wealthy class in China. The tea was brought upon the
table in decorated china tea-caddies, some of which are
still in existence, along- with an urn of boiling water.
The tea-leaves were then placed in the cup of every
guest, the cup filled with hot water, and the saucer in-
verted over it for a few minutes to retain the aroma.
The tea-pot was only used then by the rather
bourgeoisie. Social life was never more enjoyed than
then, there was an abandon and freedom of manner,
united with an open-hearted hospitality, of which we
know nothing at this day, when social restrictions re-
strict also social pleasures.

Col. Edward Buncombe but crystalized, and formu-
lated the almost universal feeling of this section, when
he inscribed, in unmistakable lines upon his front gate
t4i#-^uphoneous distich.

"Welcome all

To Buncombe Hall"*

There were quiltings, and cotillion parties, and tea-
parties without number, the gentlemen would often go

♦Buncombe Hall stood in Washington Co., and was the seat of a generous
hospitality; The mantel from its banquet hall is now in the Courthouse at
Asheville the county seat of Buncombe.

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great distances on horseback, with their sweethearts
riding behind them, and attend these gatherings. If the
night was cold, blazing fires of lightwood crackled to re-
ceive them, and huge bowls of spicy apple-toddy mel-
lowed to enliven and cheer, later in the evening tea
would invariably be served, which no one would be so
unfashionable as to refuse. An old lady informed me
that her orrandmother had a medical friend, who would
always drink fourteen cups of tea,

Under its influence conversation enlivened, and wit
sparkled. After tea the ladies would gossip, and spin,
and reel, while the grentlemen would retire to discuss the
political issues of the day, the policy of Lord North in
regard to the American colonies, or the unjust tax which
was about to be placed upon tea, or perhaps one would
read aloud a recent speech by Mr. Pitt, from an Eng-
lish newspaper, which he had been so fortunate to ob-
tain from some incoming ship; All along this would be
punctuated by puffs of tobacco smoke from their long-
stemmed pipes. They were as notional about their to-
bacco as they were about their tea, the method of pre-
paring and using the weed, was to cure it in the sun, cut
it upon a maple log. keep it in a lilly pot, which was a
jar of white earth, and to light the pipe with a splinter
of juniper, or with a coal of fire, in a pair of silver tongs
made for that purpose.

The incidents connected with this particular tea-party
are especially interesting, as they come to us through
the blue mist of a century. We can easily imagine how
they sat around in their low-necked, short-waisted gowns,
and after they had gossiped sufficiently, "it was resolved
that those who could spin, ought to be employed in that
way, and those who could not should reel. When the
time arrived for drinking tea, Bohea, and Hyperion were
provided^ and every one of the ladies judiciously rejected
the poisonous Bohea, and unanimously and to their very
great honor, preferred the balsamic Hyperion" which was
nothing more than the dried leaves of the raspberry vine,
a drink, in the writer's opinion, more vile even than the

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much vaunted Yeopon.

The picture of this patriotic party, incorrectly alluded
to by Wheeler, has a strange and unique history, and I
give it as I have received it from the lady into whose
possession the picture has fallen. Lieutenant William
T. Muse, a United States naval officer, who became con-
spicuous during the civil war, and whose mother was a
Miss Blount of Edehton, while on a cruise in the Medi-
terranean stopped at Port Mahon on the island of Min-
orca, and accidently saw hanging in a barber's shop there
a picture, representing the Edenton tea-party of 1774.
It was purchased, and brought by him to Edenton in
1830. I have this date from an old Bible bearing the
date of his return from the cruise. It was first placed on
exhibition in the court-house, and the representation of
the characters was so distinct that many of the ladies
were easily recognized. It then found a resting place in
the old tailor shop of Joseph Manning, ancestor of Chief
Justice Manning of Louisana, and finally in a cracked
condition, was intrusted to the care of a lady. During the
confusion of refugeeing incident to the civil war, it was
broken in three pieces.

It is a painting upon glass, twelve by fourteen inches.
Upon one of the pieces is the declaration set forth by the
ladies, that they would drink no tea, nor wear any stuffs
of British manufacture. Upon another is the picture of
the lady, who presided upon that occasion. She is seat-
ed at a table with a pen in her hand, her maid Amelia
standing behind her chair. This maid lived for many
years after this incident, and is still remembered by some
of the oldest citizens. By a singular coincidence her
granddaughter is still living upon the very same lot where
thejtea-party was held. Upon the third fragment of this
picture in plain letters is written, ''The Town of Eden-
ton." It is not known how the picture of this party was
obtained, or how it found its way to Port Mahon, or even
into the barber shop. The printer's name in the corner
of the picture is said to have been the same one, who
printed the celebrated letters of Junius in the reign of
Georo^e III.

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Pictures have immortalized many events in liistory,
and it is very probable that but for this one, the pleas-
ing little incident would have been lost or forgotten.
The defense of Champigny, by the"Garde Mobile,"could
never have been so immortalized in prose or rhyme,
as by the brush of Edouard Detaille. The Confederate
etchings by Dr. A. J. Volck, spoke volumes and were so
severe, that he was confined in Fore Mc Henry prison,
and the political cartoons by John Tanniel of the Lon-
don Punch produced a profound sensation. "Porte Cray-
on;" (General Strother). in his interesting article on
Edenton and the surroundings, written for Harper's
Magazine in 1857, says, "It is to be regretted that Porte
Crayon did not get a sight of this painting, that the world
might have heard more of it, and that the patriotism of
the Ladies of Edenton might have been blazoned be-
side that of the men of Boston, who have figured in so
many bad woodcuts." None of the names of the fifty-
one ladies present at this party have been preserved in
history, but I have succeeded in rescuing five of them
from the local traditions. Mrs. Penelope Barker, whose
picture appears here, was the president of this party.
She was no advocate of celibacy, having been married
first to a Mr. Hodgson, then to a Mr. Craven, and
lastly to Mr. Barker, whom she survived.

At a casual glance one might easily mistake her por-
trait for that of Lady Washington. She was one of those
lofty, intrepid, high-born women peculiarly fitted by
nature to lead; fear formed no part of her composition.
Her face bears the expression of sternness without harsh-
ness, which a cheap novelist would describe as hauteur.
She was abrilliant conversationalist, and a society leader
of her day.

Mr. Thomas Barker,* her husband, was a gifted lawyer
and had for his pupil at one time the distinguished Gov-
ernor, Samuel Johnston. The attachment of Gov. John-
ston for Mr. Barker wassogreat, that in after years he had

*A portrait of Thomas Barker by Sir. Joshua Reynolds, graces the Hayes
library. There is also a fine portrait of him, probably by Princely, in the
Cupola house.

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him and his more illustrious wife interred in his private
graveyard on his beautiful estate Hayes,* where a mossy
slab marks their last resting-place. Mr. Barker was de-
tained for some time in London during the Revolution,
and while there his wife was called upon to show some
of that pluck, and courage she had evinced at the tea-
party. Being informed by a servant that some British
soldiers were taking her carriage horses from her stables,
she snatched her husband's sword from the wall, went
out and with a single blow severed the reins in the of-
ficer's hands, and drove her horses back into the stables.
The British officer declared, that for such exhibition of
bravery, she should be allowed to keep her horses, and
she was never afterwards molested. Mrs. Barker's resi-
dence stood upon the site now occupied by the Wood-
ard Hotel.

Mrs Sarah Valentine was also one of the signers, her
portrait is still in the possession of her descendants, j and
her house is still standing- on lower end of Main St. Mrs.
Elizabeth King was another signer, and it was at her house
as before mentioned, that the party was held. She was
the wife of Thomas King, a prominent merchant of the
town. The Miss Johnston referred to in the Iredell let-
ter was undoubtedly Miss Isabella, a sister of Governor
Johnston. She was engaged to Joseph Hewes, a signer
of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina
and died just before her marriage was consummated.
Hewes, who was a man of great wealth and refinement,
soon followed her broken-hearted to the grave.

Mrs. Winifred VViofPfins Hoskins, was another sigrner,
and lived in the country near Edenton, she was the wife
of Richard Hoskins, a fearless and zealous patriot: join-
ing the American army at the first sound to arms, he ser-
v^^with signal bravery and courage until its close.
During his absence, his wife managed the entire farming

*Hayes, the lovely seat of Gov. Johnston, is the most interesting place in
North Carolina, Its library of artistic octagonal design, and unique appoint-
ments, together with its 5000 vols, of rare books, old manuscripts, busts, and
portraits of distinguished men, still stands unsullied by time, and without a
parallel.

jThe Bockover family of Norfolk, Va., are among her descendants.

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FROM AN OIL I'AINTINC; OF THE ORIGINAL KKAC;.MKNTS, I'KKShNTKD THE \IR-

GINIA DARE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION BY THE AUTHOR, AND NOW

IN THE STATE LIURAKV AT RALEIGH, N. C.

interest with prudence and profit. When they were mar-
ried, they came down the Roanoke river in an open boat,
crossed the Albemarle sound, and landed at Edenton.
He then took his bride behind his own horse, to his farm
called Paradise'^' by a bridle path, there being no public
roads in that direction then. Her wedding dress was spun
and woven from flax grown upon her father's farm in Hali-
fax county So delicate and smooth was the warp, that
when she was preparing it for the loom, she passed the
entire chain through her gold ring. The art of household
production probably reached its greatest perfection
about this time. All connection with the mother country
was severed, and the colonists thrown upon their own re-
sources. It was indispensable to every lady's education
that she should know how to spin, sew, and weave. The
spider-like fineness of their yarns, the exquisite beauty of
their needlework, and the lacy filminess of the woven
fabrics which their nimble fingers wrought, are the envy
and admiration of the present age. From the Napoleonic
standpoint Mrs. Hoskins was the greatest of them all,
having given eight sons, and eight daughters to her
country. t I extract the following from the first volume
(1877) of the Magazine of American History.

"Revolutionary Caricature. I send a description of a caricature
that may interest collectors. It is a mezzotint, fourteen by ten inches,
entitled A Society of Patriotic Ladies, at Edenton, in Nortli Carolina.

*The fine pasturage and great number of wild bees in that vicinity sug-
gested the name. It literally flowed with milk and honey.

JThe Hoskins family and collateral branches are still prominent in the
state. The venerable VV. E. Rond, a descendant ot this family, possesses
a priceless and unique relic, a gold breastpin of Turkish scimetar design
upon which is engraved "H de M. 1574 [81]."

Henry de Montmorency was constable of France, and Grand Master

-4Cmghts Templar about that time. The figure 81 may represent the number

of the Commandery.or it may have been a Knight's personal badge, 81 is also

the square of a square, formed from the original degree of Masonry, of

which 9 was the square.

The history of this relic is veiled in mystery, and it is not known whether
it was presented to a member of this family for valuable services, or whether
it descended by intermarriage with some of the Montmorencys. The fact
however that the Hoskins Arms was augmented with a sword would seem
to strengthen the former supposition.

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London, Printed for R. Sayer & J. Bennett, No. 53 in Fleet Street,
as the Act directs 25 March. 1775, Plate V. A group of fifteen figures
are around or near a table in a room. A female at the table with a
gavel is evidently a man, probably meant for Lord North. A lady,
with pen in hand is being kissed by a gentlemen. Another lady,
standing, is writing on a large circular which can be read, 'We the
Ladys of Edenton do hereby solemnly engage not to conform to that
Pernicious Custom of Drinking Tea, or that we the aforesaid Ladys
will not promote ye wear of any manufacture from England, untill
such time that all Acts which tend to enslave this our Native Country
shall be repealed ' The other figures are not close around the table,
and are empyting tea-caddies or looking on. A child and dog are
under the table. Compare Bancroft's United States, Vol. VII p,
282. J. C. B."

It will be remembered that Lord North, referred to
in the description, was prime minister of England at that
time, and the Stamp Act, which included a great many
articles, had been relieved upon everything except tea;
this made him especially odious to the ladies of the Col-
onies. The dissolute, and impecunious King was car-
tooned at this time as a hopeless pauper, thrusting both
hands down to the bottom of his empty pockets, in
search of his last guinea. The taxation of the Cc)lonies
became a necessity, which grew out of his extravagances.
A writer in alluding, to the activity and zeal of the women
of the Revolution says, "In the lives of those high-
mettled dames of the olden time, the daughters, wives,
and mothers of men, the earnest inquirer might find
much to elucidate that befogged question of the present
day, what are the rights of women ?"

And now my task is ended, let history distill in her
great alembic whatever is valuable from these pages for
posterity.

"The torch shall be extinguished which hath lit
My midnight lamp, and what is writ is writ" *

*A portion of this article appeared in the Magazine of American History,
August 1892.

Edenton, North Carolina, Nov. 2§ih, i8g8.

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